A bit of "Cockney Rhyming Slang"

It was during the 1700's that the term Cockney or Cokeney was first founded. It was applied to people who lived in towns who were considered to be ignorant to the established customs and country ways. After time this term then became a synonym for a working class Londoner, and today after more time it has lost its degrading meaning and now just refers to being a Londoner to many. It is also said that to be a Cockney who must have been born at in London at the same time as the church bells sound.

Cockney rhyming slang is believed to become more prominent across London during the mid 1800's and was mostly used by the underworld. The underworld of London was all the thieves and criminals and they would use this language as a code against the police -"the Peelers". It was a way for criminals to talk about illegal activity without everyone else understanding. It was also suggested that this was the common tongue of street traders, wheeler dealers.

When people use Cockney rhyming slang they often just use the first word to imply the rhyme, for example in "apples and pears- meaning stairs" they would just say, "up the apples". Below are a few example:

Cockney Slang - Today's Meaning

"Apple and Pears" - Stairs
"Dog and Bone" - Phone
"Hank Marvin" - Starving
"Butcher's Hook" - Look
"China Plate" - Mate
"Whistle and Flute" - Suit
"Trouble and Strife" - Wife

Below: Apple and Pears (Stairs)

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